Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The Karnataka State Wildlife Board recently approved the declaration of Hesaraghatta grassland as the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve. This decision aims to protect green spaces in Bengaluru amid urban expansion. The area encompasses 5,010 acres, including multiple lakes and forest areas. The move addresses long-standing demands for environmental conservation and follows a previous rejection of the proposal in 2021, which was reconsidered due to a High Court directive.

Notes:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. India is the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone. Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis and affects the eyes. It spreads through contact with secretions from the eyes, eyelids, nose, or throat of infected individuals. If untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness. It primarily affects communities in poor environmental conditions, with 150 million people worldwide at risk, including 6 million who are blind.

Notes:
Five Russian mountaineers recently died on an expedition on Mount Dhaulagiri. Mount Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 8,167 meters (26,795 feet). It is located in west-central Nepal, part of the Himalayan range, and is the highest mountain entirely in Nepal. Known for snowy peaks and glaciers, Dhaulagiri means “white mountain” in Sanskrit. The first successful climb was by Swiss climber Max Eiselin in 1960. The mountain is challenging due to its tough terrain and unpredictable weather.

Notes:
Researchers have discovered a new damselfly species named Agasthyamalai Bambootail in Manjadininnavila, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This rare species belongs to the bambootail group, known for their long cylindrical abdomens resembling bamboo stalks. It was found in the Agasthyamalai landscape of the Western Ghats. The only other species in this genus is the Malabar Bambootail, located in Coorg-Wayanad. Agasthyamalai Bambootail can be identified by the absence of the anal bridge vein in its wings. It features a long black body with striking blue markings and differs from the Malabar Bambootail in specific anatomical structures.

Notes:
India celebrates National Postal Day on October 10th each year. The day honors the Indian Postal Service and its role in connecting the nation. It commemorates the service’s founding by the East India Company on October 10, 1854. The Indian Postal Service has grown into one of the world’s largest networks. It has evolved from simple mail delivery to providing a wide range of services to millions across the country.

Notes:
Two foreign climbers, Michelle Theresa Dvorak (USA) and Fay Jane Manners (UK), were rescued from 6,015 meters near Chaukhamba III peak in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Chaukhamba is part of the Gangotri Group in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. It is located west of Badrinath, near the head of the Gangotri Glacier.

Notes:
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is set to become the state’s 8th tiger reserve. It covers about 3,500 sq km across Raisen, Sehore, and Bhopal districts. 1,500 sq km will be the core tiger area, with 2,000 sq km as a buffer zone. The sanctuary is home to 40 tigers, with 12 more tigers frequently moving nearby. It will boost tourism and the local economy, with increased government funding. The sanctuary hosts diverse wildlife, including over 150 bird species.

Notes:
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi unveiled ‘Agniastra,’ a multi-target detonation device, at the Army Commanders Conference in Gangtok. It improves room interventions and bunker destruction, aiding counter-terrorism operations. The device, known as WEDC, enhances safety and reliability over the older Exploder Dynamo Capacitor, which had a limited range of 400 meters. The new microprocessor-based detonation system, developed by Major Rajprasad, operates in both wired and wireless modes with a range of 2.5 km. It allows selective and simultaneous firing of multiple targets, making it highly effective for safe demolition operations. This innovation significantly enhances counter-terrorism efforts and IED destruction, ensuring better safety for troops during critical missions.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an X-band radar in Kerala’s Wayanad district after recent floods and landslides. An X-band radar emits radiation in the 8-12 GHz frequency range, producing high-resolution images due to its shorter wavelengths. While higher frequencies lead to faster attenuation, the radar’s applications include monitoring particle movements, such as soil, to provide landslide warnings. The radar will also conduct high temporal sampling, allowing it to quickly detect particle movements. X-band radars are often used to study cloud development and light precipitation.

Notes:
A new weapon known as “dragon drones” is being used in the Russia-Ukraine war. These drones release thermite, a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide originally developed for welding railroad tracks. When ignited, thermite causes a self-sustaining reaction that is difficult to extinguish. It can burn through various materials, including clothing, trees, and military vehicles, and causes severe burns and bone damage to humans. Dragon drones combine thermite with precision technology, making them highly effective and dangerous. While the use of thermite in war is legal, targeting civilians with incendiary weapons is prohibited under international law.